ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Prime Minister's Office
PM condoles the demise of renowned Marathi Lavani singer Sulochana Tai Chavan
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed deep grief over the demise of renowned Marathi Lavani singer Sulochana Tai Chavan.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"The coming generations will remember Sulochana Tai Chavan for her monumental role in promoting the culture of Maharashtra, especially Lavani. She was also passionate about music and theatre. Pained by her demise. Condolences to her family and admirers. Om Shanti."
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya to chair two-day “Chintan Shivir” at Hyderabad, Telangana with focus on Drug Quality Regulation and Enforcement
Eminent speakers along with Domain experts from Government, Industry fora, Startups, Academia to participate
Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare is organizing a two day “Chintan Shivir” on “Drugs: Quality regulation and Enforcement” on 26th and 27th February 2022 at Hyderabad. Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, and Chemicals & Fertilzers will chair the Chintan Shivir. Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Bhagwant Khuba, Minister of State for Chemicals & Fertilizers along with Dr. V K Paul, Member  NITI Aayog will also grace the meet. Senior officials including Union Secretary , Secretary , Secretary , DGHS along with representatives from National Health Authority, NPPA, CDSCO, NIB, Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission, NIPERs, State functionaries and officials including ACS/Principal Secretary will be present at the two-days brainstorming conclave. The venue for this event will be Shanti Vanam, Hyderabad.
The objective of the two-day Chintan Shivir is to review processes and implementation of policies and programmes related to drugs quality and enforcement in the country. The meeting will also recommend ways and means for facilitating ease of doing business by reviewing predictability, transparency and compliance to Indian drug standards, regulatory capacities across states and centre. Participants will also discuss global best practices, introduction of newer interventions like digital tools, clinical trial standards and in-turn give an impetus towards creating a multi-stakeholder approach for benefit of common citizens.
As part of the Chintan Shivir, five sessions on following aspects have been planned:
- Building trust and confidence on quality of drugs, cosmetics and medical devices in domestic and export markets
- Effective enforcement at the field level
- Indian pharmacopeia and adherence to its standards
- A unified IT intervention for all regulatory activities
- Capacity building of state and national regulators
The conference will have panel discussions with eminent speakers and experts from Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, NITI Aayog, industry fora, startups, academia, etc., along with interactive sessions with the stakeholders. The sessions aim at creating brainstorming interaction with stakeholders, with a view to evolve a participative approach for time-bound implementation of policies and programmes.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
PM-KISAN Scheme extension to include all eligible farmer families irrespective of the size of land holdings
Historic decision during the first Cabinet meeting- PM-KISAN Yojana extended to all farmers
PM Modi fulfils a major promise to farmers
Now, 14.5 crore farmers to benefit from the scheme
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved that the ambit of the Pradhan Mantri KisanSamman Nidhi  would be comprehensively extended. With this decision, all land holding eligible farmer families  would avail of the benefits under this scheme.
More beneficiaries, greater progress:
The revised Scheme is expected to cover around 2 crore more farmers, increasing the coverage of PM-KISAN to around 14.5 crore beneficiaries, with an estimated expenditure by Central Government of Rs. 87,217.50 crores for year 2019-20.
Speed, scale and a major promise delivered:
Today’s Cabinet decision pertaining to expanding the ambit PM-KISAN marks the fulfilment of a major promise made by the Prime Minister to the people of India in the run-up to the 2019 Parliamentary elections. The BJP manifesto too mentioned this major policy decision.
It may also be noted that certain operational issues like lack of updated land records in Jharkhand and lack of Aadhaar penetration in states of Assam, Meghalaya and J&K have also been resolved.
PM-KISAN: A path-breaking support incentive for farmers:
The genesis of the PM-KISAN Yojana dates back to the interim Budget for the year 2019-2020.
The key element of PM-KISAN is income support of Rs. 6000/- to the small and marginal landholder farmer families with cultivable land holding upto 2 hectare across the country. 
The amount is being released in three 4-monthly instalments of Rs.2000/- each over the year, to be credited into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries held in destination banks through Direct Benefit Transfer mode.
The scheme was launched in a record time of 3 weeks, on 24th February at a huge programme in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh where the first rounds of instalments was paid to several farmers.
So far, 1st instalment to 3.11 crore beneficiaries and 2nd instalment to 2.66 crore beneficiaries have been credited directly to the bank accounts of the farmer families.
Serving India’s Annadatas with renewed vigour:
Time and again, PM Narendra Modi has spoken with great reverence for India’s farmers. He has described India’s farmers as our Annadatas who undertake great efforts to feed 1.3 billion Indians.
Between 2014 to 2019, numerous measures were taken to empower the hardworking farmer. This includes increase in the Minimum Support Prices  for 22 crops, Soil Health Cards, PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana, PM KisanSampada Yojana, e-NAM for better markets and more. These steps have made agriculture more prosperous and ensured greater productivity for farmers. They will go a long way in fulfilling the Prime Minister’s dream of doubling farmer incomes by 2022, when India marks 75 years of freedom.
President's Secretariat
Prime Minister of Bhutan calls on the President
Dr Lotay Tshering, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bhutan, called on the President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, at Rashtrapati Bhavan today .
Welcoming Dr. Tshering to India, the President said that he was delighted to welcome the Bhutanese delegation to India in the Golden Jubilee year of the establishment of the formal diplomatic ties between India and Bhutan. The President said that India welcomed the successful conduct of the third general elections in Bhutan and congratulated the Prime Minister of Bhutan on DNT's victory in the elections. The President reiterated India's commitment to partner in the socio-economic development of Bhutan and to support its 12th Five Year Plan based on its priorities.
Ministry of Defence
President’s Chair of Excellence on National Security at National Defence College
NDC was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India in 1960 and has completed 60 years of its formation on 27 April 2020. The college runs a 47 week uniquely designed course on “National Security & Strategic Studies” for 100 course members, of whom 25 are from friendly foreign countries. As on date, the College has 3899 Alumni, of whom 835 are from 69 friendly foreign countries. Many of these Alumni have risen to the topmost post of their respective organisations. Apart from boasting an international reputation, the College also functions as an important instrument of Diplomacy in fostering strong relations with friendly countries. As the apex and only institution of Strategic education within the national security apparatus, the NDC is bereft of significant resident academic and research expertise. Colleges and Universities across the world have Chairs of Excellence and positions of Professors to spur intellectual and academic excellence.
On the occasion of Diamond Jubilee of National Defence College Hon’ble President of India has approved the establishment of “President’s Chair of Excellence on National Security” in the presence of Defence Secretary Mr. Ajay Kumar and Commandant Air Marshal D Choudhury on 11 Nov 2020 at RashtrapatiBhawan. The President’s Chair of Excellence on National Security will not only help in enhancing the intellectual capital of the college but also go a long way in uplifting its credibility and reputation.
The chair will be located at National Defence College, 06, Tees January Marg, New Delhi and shall be provided all academic, administrative and logistic support.
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Ministry of Railways
ECoR GENERAL MANAGER INSPECTED BHUBANESWAR RAILWAY STATION AND WINDOW TRAILING INSPECTION BETWEEN BHUBANESWAR AND TALCHER
East Coast Railway General Manager Shri Roop Narayan Sunkar today inspected the Bhubaneswar Railway station and had Window Trailing inspection from Bhubaneswar to Talcher via Angul and reviewed the various Works.
Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Hon’ble Minister of Railways is giving special focus to Odisha and the various projects works going in Odisha has been under his constant supervision and priority. In line with the instructions of the Hon’ble Railway Minister Shri Sunkar today inspected the Bhubaneswar railway station circulating area, reservation counters, various passenger amenities at the station and platform. The General Manager also reviewed the proposed new station building designs and took stock of the progress.
He also had the Window Trailing inspection from Bhubaneswar to Talcher via Angul and various sidings on the way and at Talcher area. During the inspection he received Memorandum’s submitted by various Public Associations and assured them of speedy redressal of the grievances.
During the course of inspection, the General Manager emphasised upon the need and significance of facilities provided to the esteemed passengers. He also advised officials to focus for the speedy completion of various project works. The primary focus is on development of circulating areas, concourse, platforms, lightings, waiting rooms, toilets, elevators, etc., which are much needed for the comfort of passengers.
During the inspection General Manager was accompanied by Shri Rinkesh Roy, Divisional Railway Manager Khurda Road and other Senior officials from Head Quarter and Khurda Road Division.
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Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
The problem is we have too many good movies: Consul General of Israel in Mumbai, Ya’akov Finkelstein
There are many similarities between Indian and Israeli Cinema and both countries need to explore their own cinemas deeper: Dan Wolman, IFFI 2018 Lifetime Achievement Awardee
Though I sometimes made movies to earn a living, I am a supporter of fringe cinema: Dan Wolman
“There are lot of similarities in Indian and Israeli cinema so far as diversities are concerned, and both countries need to explore their own cinemas deeper said Dan Wolman in a Press conference at the 49th edition of IFFI, Goa on November 21, 2018. Dan Wolman was presented Lifetime Achievement Award at IFFI in Goa this year. Calling himself a supporter of fringe cinema, Wolman said though he sometimes made movies to earn a living, his desire has always been to make a movie on issues like ageing, prostitution, gay issues etc.
Narrating an experience where he was interviewed by a person unaware of parallel cinema, Mr Wolman, who lost two-thirds of his family in holocaust said, he believes in portraying emotions in indirect and subtle ways.
Replying to question about his interest in theatre Mr Wolman said theatre is an exciting and less expensive means to reach people and Israel with its 18 film schools has a great tradition of theatre.
Wolman further said, Israeli society is characterised by presence of various ethnic and migrant groups which make film-making challenging. However diversity is our strength and it shows the talent that our film fraternity has, Wolman added.
Bringing out the similarities between Indian and Israeli cinema, His Excellency, Consul General of Israel in Mumbai, Ya’akov Finkelstein said, India and Israel have seen tremendous growth in various fields including film sector and ties between the film industries of both countries will scale further heights. Talking about Indian production houses Like Dharma Production shooting at Tel Aviv beaches, he said Israel and India have vast business opportunities in the film sector. Prime Minister of Israel wants films from both countries to fortify the century long bonds among people of Israel and India.
In the Country Focus Section, IFFI will screen 10 movies from Israel which will showcase landscape, history and social issues faced by the country. Inviting Indians to Israel to witness its beauty and explore its huge shooting potential, the Consul General said, he is proud of democracies like India and Israel where concerns of the people have to be kept in mind while tackling socio-economic issues.
“The Other story” is a movie about two rebellious young women and I can relate to the story myself, said Isareli Producer David Silber while speaking about his movie. I switched from the career of museum curator to become a film producer and my aim is not to just give entertainment but also food for thought to my audiences, Mr Silber said.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
220.13 cr Total Vaccine doses  have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
56,997 doses administered in last 24 hours
India's Active caseload currently stands at 2,509
Active cases stand at 0.01%
Recovery Rate currently at 98.8%
204 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to 4,41,46,534
214 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours
Daily positivity rate 
Weekly Positivity Rate 
91.19 cr Total Tests conducted so far; 1,88,768 tests conducted in the last 24 hours
Ministry of Jal Shakti
National Water Policy
Many challenges have emerged significantly in water sector, which require to be addressed through appropriate revision of National Water Policy. In order to meet the present challenges in water sector, revision of National Water Policy 2012 has been envisaged by the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti and a drafting committee has been constituted on 5th November, 2019 to revise the National Water Policy. The revision of National Water Policy requires wider consultation with various stakeholders including State Governments.
A meeting of the State Ministers in-charge of Water Resources, Water Supply and Sanitation was held on 11th June 2019 at New Delhi to review the steps taken by various States on water conservation and the implementation of action plans to deal with the water supply situation, plan for water harvesting and conservation in convergence with other programmes. State Governments were requested to complete water conservation measures for large-scale rain water harvesting.
Government of India has launched Jal Shakti Abhiyan , a water conservation campaign, which is being implemented in 256 water-stressed districts of the country. The Phase–I was implemented from 1st July, 2019 to 30th September, 2019 across the country and Phase–II is being implemented from 1st October, 2019 to 30th November, 2019 in the Southern States which receive retreating monsoon. During the campaign, officers, groundwater experts and scientists from the Government of India have worked with State and District officials in these districts to promote water conservation and water resource management by focusing on accelerated implementation of five target interventions, viz. water conservation & rainwater harvesting, renovation of traditional and other water bodies/ tanks, reuse and recharge of bore wells, watershed development and intensive afforestation. With this campaign, huge awareness has been generated and various stakeholders, viz. government departments, agencies, NGOs, officials, Panchayats, individuals, etc. have started taking steps for water conservation.
This information was given in a written reply by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti & Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri. Rattan Lal Kataria in Lok Sabha today.
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs 
Cabinet approves foreign investment of up to Rs.9589 crore in M/s Suven Pharmaceuticals Limited
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi today approved the FDI proposal for foreign investment of up to Rs.9589 crore in M/s Suven Pharmaceuticals Limited by M/s Berhyanda Limited, Cyprus. The approval is for acquisition of up to 76.1% equity shares of M/s Suven Pharmaceuticals Limited, a public limited Indian pharmaceutical company listed on the National Stock Exchange of India Limited and the Bombay Stock Exchange Limited, by M/s Berhyanda Limited, Cyprus, by way of transfer of shares of from existing promoter shareholders and public shareholders through mandatory Open Offer. The aggregate foreign investment may increase up to 90.1% in M/s Suven Pharmaceuticals Limited.
The proposal has been evaluated by SEBI, RBI, CCI and other relevant agencies. The approval has been granted after examination of the proposal by Departments concerned, RBI and SEBI and is subject to the fulfillment of all rules and regulations as applicable in this regard.
The entire investments in foreign Investor Company, M/s Berhyanda Limited are held by Advent Funds, which pool investments from various Limited Partners . The Advent Funds are managed by Advent International Corporation, an entity incorporated in USA. Advent International Corporation, set up in 1984 has made investments of about USD 75 billion in 42 countries. Advent India started investments in India since 2007 and so far it has invested about Rs 34000 crores in 20 Indian companies across healthcare, financial services, industrial manufacturing, consumer goods and IT services sectors.
The approved investment aims to generate new jobs, capacity expansion of the Indian company through investments in plant & equipment. Association with Advent Group is expected to provide larger platform to M/s Suven Pharmaceuticals Limited by expanding business operations; achieving operational excellence; enhancing productivity and accelerate growth; improve the environment, health and safety standards of Indian Company; and bring in global best practices in management as well as excellent training opportunities to existing professionals.
The Government has put in place an investor-friendly Foreign Direct Investment  Policy regime for pharmaceutical sector in order to bring in global best practices through technology, innovation and skilling for accelerated economic growth and development; supplement capital for up scaling domestic productivity, increase competitiveness and employment generation amongst other benefits.
As per the extant FDI Policy, 100% foreign investment is allowed under automatic route in greenfield pharmaceutical projects. In brownfield pharmaceutical projects, FDI upto 74% are allowed under the automatic route and Government approval is required for investment beyond 74%. Total FDI inflows in pharmaceutical sector has been Rs.43,713 crore during last five years . The sector has witnessed significant growth in FDI of 58% in the last financial year.
Ministry of Finance
The IBC  Ordinance, 2018 and the Homebuyer
- Arun Jaitley
Please find below the Text of the Article written by the Union Minister, Shri Arun Jaitley on “The IBC  Ordinance, 2018 and the Homebuyer” :
“Post 1991 economic liberalisation, there has been a phenomenal growth in the creation of new townships, urbanisation and more particularly sub-urbanisation. This trend is likely to accelerate. Economic growth gives rise to aspirations. More purchasing power, migration from rural areas and aspiration to improve the quality of life are increasing. In and around major townships massive real estate projects have been coming up. Many of these are by professional real estate developers. This is also an area where many “fly by night” operators have entered. Some developers have very little resources of their own. They use the homebuyer’s money to develop, invest in land banks and then get caught in debt trap. The homebuyer is the worst sufferer. He has a triple whammy. He has invested his savings with the developer. He may be paying EMIs on the loans taken and may continue to pay either rent of his currently occupied property or live in some alternate accommodation under compulsion.
The new ordinance equates an “allottee” of a “real estate project” to be a person having a commercial effect of borrowing. He is now treated as financial creditor. He can initiate a corporate insolvency for a resolution against the errant developer. He acquires the right to be on the committee of creditors. He gets voting right. He can influence the resolution process. In the unlikely eventuality of liquidation, he stands at par with other financial creditors.
Given his logistical problems, liquidations are rarely likely to take place in asset owning companies. Resolution is the natural course. In a resolution probably some other developer would acquire an interest or some alternative method found of completing the project. The inevitable consequence of this would be that the market itself will discover solutions. Just as the film industry, in the last few years, has increasingly formalised itself, the real estate industry would eventually will have to formalise itself. Sound and structured real estate developers would remain. The “fly by night” operators would be eliminated. Projects would be completed in reasonable time and investors would get their share of allotments expeditiously. Construction is already growing at a double digit growth. RERA and the new ordinance would only catalyse this process further”.
Ministry of Defence
Aerospace University
The Expert Group under the Chairmanship of Shri B K Chaturvedi, the then member, Planning Commission constituted by the Government for restructuring and strengthening of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited  had recommended setting up of an Aerospace University.
A Detailed Project Report  on establishment of Aerospace University was prepared by a HAL-established Society named ‘Society for HAL Aeronautics Research & Technologies Institute’ and approved by HAL Board.
Subsequently, the DPR was reviewed in this Ministry and it was suggested that for the formation of the Institute through an Act of Parliament, the structure should be in line with relevant Rules, Regulations & Procedures in vogue in other Central Universities/Institutes. HAL’s role would be facilitating the establishment of the proposed University and providing secretarial help.
After deliberation in their 409th Board Meeting held on 02.02.2018, HAL has decided that they cannot consider setting up an Aerospace University, even in collaboration with the other Organisations like DRDO, Private Industries, etc.
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Shripad Naik in a written reply to Shri Ravi Kishan and Shri Ravindra Kushwaha in Lok Sabha today.
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